Transcript Highlights:

• And then currently it's a physician. It doesn't specify what kind of physician.
• <01:06:07.599> It<01:06:07.839> doesn't >> currently it's a physician.
• It doesn't >> currently it's a physician.
• <01:06:09.680> Could<01:06:09.839> be Just has to be a physician. Okay.
• midwives, and licensed physicians midwives, and licensed physicians uh<01:08:34.560> assistants

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• yeah and a medical spa run by physician yeah and a medical spa run by a<03:52:00.640> physician
• <04:51:12.080> to<04:51:12.400> prescribe Physicians to prescribe Physicians to prescribe
• that just down to the basics a physician that just down to the basics a physician is<04:58:43.600
• She said a physician does not even have to formally evaluate a patient requesting physician-assisted
• health professional if the physician health professional if the physician quote<05:07:27.718>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 199, which would extend the statute of limitations for civil actions seeking damages from PFAS contamination from six years to 20 years. The prime sponsor and other supporters argued that PFAS contamination in southern New Hampshire has long-term and often delayed health and property impacts, making the current six-year period too short for victims to discover harm, connect it to exposure, and seek relief. Supporters described contamination in places such as Merrimack and surrounding communities, cited health concerns including cancer, developmental issues, and other illnesses, and said a longer period would better preserve legal rights while still requiring proof of causation. The Department of Environmental Services said it was not taking a position but acknowledged the contamination and ongoing work to address it. The Business and Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that evidence becomes stale over time, memories and documents fade, and a longer window would make it harder to determine causation when other exposures or intervening factors may be involved. Committee members questioned both sides about causation, the difficulty of proving PFAS-related illness, and whether a 20-year period was necessary if a plaintiff already knows of the injury and its source. Supporters responded that PFAS effects can emerge slowly, that scientific understanding continues to develop, and that current knowledge is still incomplete. Opponents said the existing discovery rule already starts the clock when harm and causal connection are known, and that extending the period would reduce clarity and fairness in litigation. After testimony and questions, the chair closed the hearing on HB 199. The committee then opened House Bill 268 FN, which was described as a technical measure to confirm that the Board of Tax and Land Appeals may hold hearings in its Concord hearing rooms. The sponsor indicated the bill reflects current practice and does not require additional facilities. With only one witness listed and no apparent opposition, the discussion was brief and focused on why the authorization should be placed in statute rather than left to practice.

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Corinne Brea, and I'm a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Nemours Children's Hospital
• As a physician in a pediatric emergency department, I see firsthand what it looks like when a child is
• And physicians, nurses, our medical personnel, are really frontline workers in the identification of
• , two physicians who collaborate with physician assistants, two chiropractic physicians, and two physician
• example, in Alabama, the governor, lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the House each appoint physician

Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills, most of them focused on drowning prevention and public safety. SB 428, by Senator Yarborough, would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. The sponsor and supporting testimony from a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA representatives emphasized Florida’s high drowning rates, especially among very young children, and argued that swim lessons can significantly reduce risk. Senator Harrell noted the need to revisit the funding allocation as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606, by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing practices to postpartum education provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer requires home birth providers to maintain proof of compliance. A parent who lost a child to drowning and Senator Berman spoke in strong support, stressing that the bill would educate new parents at a critical time. The committee adopted the amendment and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. SB 162, by Senator Davis, would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively low-cost and already used in many facilities, while several witnesses supported the bill as a worker-safety measure. Other senators raised concerns about the lack of data, possible rural hospital impacts, and whether the mandate could add costs without clear evidence of harm. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably. The committee also passed SB 340, by Senator Harrell, requiring nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure, after amending the bill to shift the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves. Testimony from a trafficking survivor and nursing advocates supported the measure, and it was reported favorably as a committee substitute. Finally, SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, removed the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; chiropractic industry representatives supported the change, and the bill was reported favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• And I know as a physician, I'm working with multiple business models.
• And I know as a physician, I'm working with multiple business models.
• And I know as a physician, I'm working with multiple business models.
• And I know as a physician, I'm working with multiple business models.
• taking primary care physicians, are we taking primary care physicians, are we taking uh<00:46:01.839

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with a moment of silence for Representative McCool, who was absent due to a family death, then approved the April 14 minutes and noted the agenda contained 482 items totaling about $138.6 million. The first deferred item involved the Office of the Controller and a brokerage services contract. Senators questioned why the new contract was roughly $1 million a year when a prior vendor had been paid about $300,000 annually, why the procurement was rebid after years of no-bid arrangements, and why past performance was not heavily weighted. Agency witnesses said the prior vendor had held the work for more than 20 years, the new RFP drew more competition, technical evaluators did not see cost until after technical scoring, and AON received the highest technical score despite being an out-of-state vendor with its closest office in Nashville. After discussion, the committee voted to take no action, and the contract advanced to the Finance Cabinet for final decision. The committee then considered a DCBS memorandum of agreement amendment. Members asked what funding was being redirected to cover an increase of about $265,000. DCBS explained that reduced spending on interpreter services, due to more commonly used forms being translated into other languages, freed up funds to support the contract. The committee approved the item. Next, the committee reviewed an initial contract for the Kentucky Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists. The board explained that its small legal staff was handling 11 active cases and needed outside counsel with investigators and additional attorneys because of ongoing litigation and disciplinary changes tied to prior legislation and a recent LOIC report. Members asked whether the contract was a not-to-exceed amount and whether the board could afford it; the board said the $50,000 was a ceiling, not an expected spend, and that the board was fully funded through licensing fees and currently running a surplus. Senator Thomas urged support, citing recent reforms in Senate Bills 14 and 22 and the need to help the board work through corrective action. The committee approved the contract. The Board of Pharmacy item was then deferred at the agency’s request until the June 2025 meeting, and the committee approved that deferral.

Transcript Highlights:

• This equates to approximately $19,000 per physician trainee.
• This equates to approximately $19,000 per physician trainee.
• This equates to approximately $19,000 per physician trainee.
• This equates to approximately $19,000 per physician trainee.
• This equates to approximately $19,000 per physician trainee.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• And the licensure compacts and Florida is a member state and the physician, a nurse and the psychology
• And this awards points based on a whether a state allows certain non-physician clinicians perform tasks
• So for the physician assistants, it was the American Academy of Physician Associates for Nurse practitioners
• And part of that is directed in for the position for directed payments to the physicians who are going
• That, again, the external organizations where the American Academy of Physician assistants for Pa's,

Transcript Highlights:

• the state of principal license to investigate and request criminal history records of qualified physicians
• the state of principal license to investigate and request criminal history records of qualified physicians
• As we know, already some of the testimony, almost 200 physicians, have come in because of our involvement
• :39.840> testimony<00:01:40.320> almost<00:01:40.680> 200<00:01:40.880> Physicians
• <00:01:41.399> have the testimony almost 200 Physicians have the testimony almost 200 Physicians

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means held a joint hearing on S.P. 1365, which concerns the interstate medical licensure compact. The bill would authorize the Hawaii Medical Board, as the state of principal license, to investigate and request criminal history records for qualified physicians seeking licensure through the compact. Testimony was strongly supportive. SHIPA, the Hawaii Medical Board, Queen’s Health Systems, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, HMSA, and the Hawaii Medical Association all supported the measure. The Hawaii Medical Association said the bill would help move the compact forward as part of Hawaii’s access-to-care strategy and noted that nearly 200 physicians have already come in through the compact. After brief discussion, no members raised questions or objections. The committees recommended passage of the measure unamended. The motion was adopted by vote, with several members voting aye and a few excused.

Transcript Highlights:

• can<00:13:28.000> mean physician.
• For physicians, it can mean physician.
• <00:16:08.800> and DPC while helping physicians and DPC while helping physicians and patients
• folks who are studying to be physicians folks who are studying to be physicians don't<00:21:00.240
• /c><00:21:32.480> direct<00:21:32.880> pay, physicians even if they're direct pay, physicians

Bills: HF2400, HF1724, HF3437, HF4333, HF2874, HF4052

Keywords: real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, direct primary care, healthcare agreements, medical services, patient care, health insurance, mortgage fees, residential loans, commercial loans, finance regulations, investment properties, insurance, supplemental health insurance, short-term care, home health care, nursing care

Transcript Highlights:

• shortage of on-call physicians.
• And I just likened it call physicians.
• equitable distribution of of physicians equitable distribution of of physicians and<00:26:50.240
• And I think that's basically the reason why the Maui physicians...
• In general, we don't want physicians outside of accepting hospital privileges.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The committee opened its Health and Human Services calendar, noted quorum, and first took up HB 194. The chair explained amendments to add an exemption for a person invited by a patient to attend a birth outside an accredited birth facility when no compensation is involved, remove a date reference in section 9, and accept Department of Health amendments. Members raised no objections, and the committee voted to pass HB 194 with amendments. The committee then heard HB 139 on insurance, with the Attorney General flagging possible unlawful delegation issues and suggesting clarifying language, while the Insurance Division stood on written testimony. A number of health organizations and advocates, including HMSA, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, oncology and fertility groups, testified in support. HB 613 on homeless youth drew broad support from state agencies, counties, youth advocates, and community groups; testimony emphasized the need for permanent safe spaces and more attention to unaccompanied minors, with one witness asking for clarity on funding and shelter capacity. HB 71 on a tax credit for family caregivers drew support from AARP, Alzheimer’s and children’s advocates, and several individuals, while the Tax Foundation raised concerns about blank provisions and the cost-effectiveness of administering a small credit. The Department of Taxation said a prior version with a $5,000 nonrefundable credit would have cost the general fund about $397.4 million. HB 716 on health care technology support received strong support from SHPDA, OHIN, and many provider groups, who described it as a one-time investment of roughly $20–25 million to connect rural and neighbor island providers to electronic health records; members questioned how the grant program would be allocated. HB 799 on physician hospital privileges also drew mixed testimony: supporters said it would align Hawaii with updated CMS rules and improve access, especially on Maui, while Maui Health and some members worried it could reduce on-call coverage and hospital safety, leading to discussion of a possible report and sunset date.

Transcript Highlights:

• foreign physicians to medically underserved<00:20:51.280> areas<00:20:51.679> and<00:20
• in this state, that we have enough physicians, in particular in rural parts of the state.
• physicians, something we very much need as a state.
• physicians, something we very much need as a state.
• physicians, something we very much need as a state.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It sets aside 50% of those monies for licensed physicians.
• Everybody agrees we need physicians.
• And now with this 75% minimum, being offered to physicians.
• So physicians who are currently practicing are eligible.
• So current physicians are eligible.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Madam Whip, members, Senate Bill 1178 allows a naturopathic physician, by expanding the definition of
• This bill looks at naturopathic doctors and physicians to practice to their full potential.
• This bill looks at naturopathic doctors, physicians to practice to their full potential.
• This bill allows the person to sue the physician and requires the court to award specified damages.
• This bill allows the person to sue the physician and requires the court to award specified damages.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The caucus reviewed a long list of Senate bills and memorials across several policy areas, with most items presented as consent or third-read measures and little debate. Topics included special license plates for the Arizona Space Commission, local land-use and housing restrictions, liquor regulation updates, limits on municipal delays in permitting and exactions, election equipment security and timekeeping requirements, precinct committeeman vacancy procedures, assisted living and deed-fraud measures, a Freedom of Speech Monument committee, renaming Wesley Bolin Plaza, and a ban on gender transition procedures for minors. Members also discussed health and human services bills on behavioral health technician standards, Medicaid billing during ownership changes, breast cancer screening cost-sharing, naturopathic IV administration authority, safe-haven newborn surrender at hospitals, and access claim-processing timelines. The Judiciary portion covered probation limits for dangerous crimes against children, a civil cause of action related to prohibited gender reassignment surgery on minors, elimination of the statute of limitations for failure to register as a sex offender, probation incentive calculations, victim-rights expense recovery, unlawful flight penalties, vulnerable adult theft definitions, motor fuel theft, unlawful alerting, and evidence rules in sexual-assault-related hearings. In discussion, members asked for clarifications on several bills, including the definitions of “malicious” delay, internet access on election equipment, the scope of the breast screening bill, and the meaning of unlawful alerting. Supporters repeatedly described bills as common-sense, fraud-prevention, patient-access, or public-safety measures, while one member noted a no vote on extending the Vulnerable Adult System Study Committee. Additional measures in land, agriculture, water, public safety, and transportation included foreign-entity restrictions on land transactions, limits on transporting Mexican gray wolf puppies, water reuse and groundwater fee extensions, a larger water supply revolving fund loan cap, congressional memorials on EPA authority and the San Carlos irrigation project, expanded traumatic event counseling coverage, reimbursement of legal costs for certain disciplined law enforcement officers, data sharing with the federal government on unauthorized aliens, roadable aircraft registration, motor vehicle booting rules, military-property sign placement, a towing and impound study committee, photo enforcement penalties, and highway renaming memorials. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and the meeting ended after the transportation items and memorials were completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• of the patient, an 18-year-old sibling or child of the patient, a director of the hospital, and a physician
• The fourth category is a physician, psychologist, or qualified mental health professional licensed for
• Subsection E tells us that the admitting physician under a 72-hour hold statute or certified psychologist
• If the admitting physician or certified psychologist determines that reasonable grounds do not exist
• of mental health professionals, or if a physician is not available, by a mental health professional

Transcript Highlights:

• So what we have here is an ability for a physician, and this is currently list physicians to provide
• But we see a lot of physicians, excuse me, not very many physicians that have time to do it.
• , in the past, it's only been a physician, in the past, it's only been a physician, a<01:45:30.239
• excuse me, not very many physicians um excuse me, not very many physicians<01:45:46.880> that<
• , appoint a licensed physician, appoint a licensed physician, um,<01:50:14.560> etc.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Tammy Penhollow is a double board-certified anesthesiologist and pain medicine physician and a U.S.
• She is the founder of a physician-owned regenerative medicine practice in Scottsdale and serves on the
• Arizona Medical Association's private practice physicians section governing council.
• Penhollow regularly advises on issues related to anesthesia, pain care, physician scope of practice,
• Penhollow regularly advises on issues related to anesthesia, pain care, physician scope of practice,

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer by Paul Sorensen, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal from January 15, 2026. Members also recognized the Doctor of the Day, Dr. Tammy Penhollow, and several guests in the gallery, including education leaders and representatives from Republic Services. Attendance was recorded at 57 present, zero absent, and two excused. The main floor business was the reading of communications and a very large slate of bills. The clerk listed numerous House bills for first reading and referral to committees, covering topics such as veterans, natural resources and water, financial services, minimum wage, commerce, education, housing, child care, health and human services, public safety, artificial intelligence, taxation, transportation, agriculture, and appropriations. The House also moved through second reading of another extensive group of bills on subjects including health care, criminal justice, transportation, education, firearms, housing, and state budget matters. No substantive debate or votes on individual bills were recorded in the transcript beyond the procedural referral and reading of measures. The House then received announcements about upcoming committee meetings, birthday wishes for Representative Aaron Márquez, and notices that some committees would not meet. The chamber adjourned on a motion until 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 501 provides continuity of care when a physician passes away.
• And I care physician, family medicine.
• When are physician. I said that's great.
• <00:09:49.680> It's care physicians in rural Kentucky.
• It's care physicians in rural Kentucky.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up administrative regulations, found no concerns, and then passed House Bill 389 with a favorable expression by a 9-0 vote. HB 389 was described as a cleanup bill for the CASPER prescription monitoring program: it clarifies that practitioners must have active CASPER accounts, exempts charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allows sharing CASPER data with certain federal entities such as military-base providers, and updates references to hydrocodone’s Schedule II status. The sponsor said there was no expected fiscal impact. The committee then passed House Bill 392, also by a 9-0 favorable expression. HB 392 would streamline payment for non-elective medical care for patients in state mental facilities when the facility cannot provide the needed treatment, allowing care in community-based settings and payment to those providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve efficiency and would not have a fiscal impact on the cabinet. House Bill 501 was next and likewise passed 9-0 with favorable expression. The bill would allow pharmacists, in their professional judgment, to refill certain prescriptions for up to 180 days when a physician has died, while excluding controlled substances and preserving pharmacist discretion to require follow-up care. Senators raised concerns that the bill does not require patients to seek a new provider during that period, but supporters said the longer window addresses rural provider shortages and access delays. The committee then heard House Bill 495, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute would prohibit Medicaid services and managed care organizations from covering cross-sex hormones above normal levels and gender reassignment surgery. Testimony on the bill was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers including a former senator, psychologists, advocates, and legal and social work representatives arguing that conversion therapy is harmful, that the substitute would deny medically necessary gender-affirming care, and that the measure could increase suicide risk and litigation. One witness from the Family Foundation of Kentucky spoke in favor, arguing the executive order on counseling limits free speech and that counseling should not be restricted by government. The transcript ends during testimony, with no final committee vote on HB 495 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• While my pediatrician and osteopathic physician knew about electromagnetic sensitivity and were able
• And unfortunately, so many in our medical community, our primary physicians, do not as well.
• And unfortunately, so many in our medical community, our primary physicians, do not as well.
• I've also been a primary care physician.
• College of Emergency Physicians. Thank you so much for allowing me to speak today about this bill.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Public Health held a hearing focused on children’s health, disease prevention, screening, treatment, and pharmacy-related bills. The chair explained that the session was for public testimony only, with no votes or decisions taken that day, and outlined the three-minute limit for individual testimony. The committee then heard testimony on a range of bills, including H. 2413 on adding electromagnetic sensitivity to the state’s MAVEN registry, S. 1508 and H. 2433 on creating an amputation prevention task force, H. 2535 and S. 1551 on establishing a naloxone purchase trust fund, S. 1635 on authorizing pharmacists to provide opioid use disorder treatment, H. 2385 on creating a special commission on avian influenza, and S. 1497 on patient safety and non-FDA-approved compounded drugs. Testimony on H. 2413 came largely from advocates and individuals who described electromagnetic sensitivity as a real health condition and argued that adding it to the registry would improve data collection, provider education, and public awareness. Testimony on the amputation prevention task force bills came from the American Diabetes Association and podiatry groups, who said diabetes-related amputations are often preventable, disproportionately affect people of color, and could be reduced through earlier screening, better care coordination, and improved insurance coverage for preventive foot care. On the naloxone trust fund bills, a representative, emergency physician, and nurse testified that hospitals often cannot reliably send overdose patients home with naloxone because of billing and reimbursement barriers, and that a bulk-purchase fund would expand access at no added cost to payers or providers. The committee also heard strong support for S. 1635 from pharmacists and public health researchers, who said community pharmacists could safely initiate and maintain buprenorphine treatment and help close gaps in opioid use disorder care. On H. 2385, a local board of health chair supported a special commission on avian influenza, citing gaps in emergency preparedness and the need for clearer coordination across agencies. On S. 1497, a pharmacy representative opposed restrictions on compounded drugs from outsourcing facilities, warning that changes could reduce access to life-saving medications and harm patient safety. No votes or formal actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We train physicians from across the country.
• across<01:16:37.720> the We train physicians from across the We train physicians from
• served by a physician trained at HCMC. served by a physician trained at HCMC.
• HCMC is the engine of Minnesota's physician pipeline, training more than half of all practicing physicians
• in<01:45:53.520> the half of all practicing physicians in the half of all practicing physicians

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because we answer to a physician, so there's, I think, there's a lot of things in the law that we have
• A few years ago, we performed some cleanup of the physician assistant statute, Minnesota Statutes 147A
• The Minnesota Board of Medical Practice is authorized to license and regulate physician assistants and
• A few years ago, we performed some cleanup of the physician assistant statute, Minnesota Statutes 147A
• The bill would allow the board to recognize the required 280 collaborative practice hours a physician

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• But these guys are not physicians, nor do they want to be called physicians.
• But these guys are not physicians, nor do they want to be called physicians.
• But these guys are not physicians, nor do they want to be called physicians.
• But these guys are not physicians, nor do they want to be called physicians.
• But these guys are not physicians, nor do they want to be called physicians.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all